Did you know Bummis released a new and improved version of their AIO cloth diaper? No? At the end of the November, Bummis released the Pure making a series of significant changes to their already pretty awesome all in one cloth diaper. Check out my review of the previous version here.

Disclosure: Kerri from Cozybums dropped one of these off with me to review at no cost. This post will contain affiliate links. I earn commission from these links.

What’s the deal with the Bummis Pure?

To be completely honest, I skimmed over the release of the Bummis PURE AIO cloth diaper. I already own the Bummis AIO, and my favourite thing in the world right now is prefold diapers and covers (sometimes I even use flats). So, another all in one cloth diaper from a company already making an all in one cloth diaper didn’t seem important to me. #firstmistake

But, it is important. The Bummis Pure is one of the MOST AFFORDABLE all in one cloth diapers MADE IN CANADA.

Give Bummis a chance! I know this brand isn’t as sexy as other cloth diaper brands, but these guys make diapers that last and diapers that hold up to heavy wetters and fit toddlers. And they do it in Canada.

Bummis Pure Design

It’s not a cloth diaper review without a little about of design chat. The Bummis Pure is an all in one cloth diaper. If you’re not familiar with this term I’ve been throwing around for the last 5 or so paragraphs, it means no fuss, no stuffing, no putting things together. Everything you need is contained in the diaper. It’ has an attachable insert that doesn’t remove, and doesn’t go anywhere when washing. You just lay all flat and go. Put it on your child and go. When it’s soiled, in the wash bag, and put a different diaper on the bum.

On the exterior of the diaper is a classic Bummis shape fitting from 10-38lbs. I say that because it looks near identical to the previous Bummis AIO. Double waist snaps, 2×4 rise snap and a few other adjustments. If you want me to do a more detailed break down of the differences, leave a comment, and I’ll make it happen. Maybe I’ll even go live on Facebook!

On the inside of the Bummis Pure is where the magic happens. This diaper has been completely overhauled on the interior as it now features a wicking jersey inner (in BRIGHT and BOLD colours). Further, a large bamboo cotton blend tongue is sewn to the front and can be tucked inside a pocket in the central part of the diaper. If you turn the pocket inside out, three layers of a cotton terry material are sewn to the pocket providing additional absorbency.

A full stash of Bummis PURE (24 changes) would cost you $670 Canadian. This would last until potty training, a solid 2.5 years. Disposables run around $50 CDN a month, if you’re lucky. That toals $1500 for a year. Yes, there are cheaper ways to cloth diaper, but this is easy. The Bummis Pure is an easy cloth diaper. It’s okay to spend money on easy things. You dont have to be a super mom with your pile of microfibre inserts stuffing diapers for an hour.

Just Pure & Simple – Worth Owning

There’s probably a really good reason why Bummis opted to name this diaper the Pure. I’m going to assume it is simple, perfect, flawless. This chunky all in one cloth diaper is worth trying.

Absorbency Worth Owning: This diaper is one of the most absorbent daytime AIO cloth diaper on the market. Hands down. It’s not nearly as absorbent as my older models (maybe because it has only been washed six times), but it is a top contender against others holding a solid 9-10oz. I don’t own anything more absorbentwithout going to something designed for nights.

If you think Smart Bottoms, Best Bottoms or Blueberry is absorbent, you haven’t tried a Bummis cloth diaper.

I boost this with a small booster for nights, and we are set. I can’t boost any other AIO and wake up to a dry bed. The bed is always wet. Note: she is a moderate night time wetter needing only 20 oz.

Elastics Worth Stretching: Elastics on Bummis Pure are just perfect. I’m not even sure how to explain to you their awesome powers, but they have such bounce, and stretch, and give just the right fit to ensure nothing escapes from the diaper. #BummisFTW

If you own a previous Bummis AIO, the elastics on the Pure are longer in that they start higher on the legs and cover a bigger width on the back.

Wicking Jersey Worthy of Pee & Poop: I believe wicking jersey is the way of the future for cloth diapers, and Canadian diaper manufacturers have jumped on that bandwagon. Not only is wicking jersey stay dry, but its amazing for poop clean up. Fleece is #soyesterday. Wicking Jersey does a fantastic job. I’ve only owned this diaper a couple of weeks; I know wicking jersey stands the test of time (whereas fleece tends to get pilly, gross, and not so lovely).

Pockets Worth Stuffing: My favourite kind of AIO is one with a pocket because I want options and Bummis Pure gives me these options:

Pocket for even more absorbency: Stuff a booster in there and this diaper will tackle any heavy daytime wetter.

Pocket for stay dry: Tuck that cotton tongue into the diaper and its now stay dry for even the most sensitive of babies.

Pocket for easy poop clean up: Nobody likes scraping poop off a million layers, so a pocket lets you hide all the excess for easy cleanup. I love it.

Skip the Pocket: If pockets aren’t for you, lay that tongue on top and baby/toddler can skip any stay dry feeling – this might be helpful for the potty training of the bunch. (And if you are lazy on laundry day).

Worthy until Potty Training: We all get worried diapers won’t last until potty training. I know I am because my youngest is 21 pounds and primarily on the same rise settings as my oldest. They do slim out. At 37lbs and 38″, my toddler has lots of room to grow this diaper. He fits this better than a size Large Bummis Potty Pant. Notice no toddler photos today; he’d rather die than wear a diaper these days (unless he has to poop).

I also love how easy it is to get on. This is a diaper I rarely struggle with. I did struggle the first time (as evident in this video below) because I didn’t have the snaps right and chunky thighs got all in the way, but guys, my husband always got it right (and I made him try this thing out!)

Couple Not-so-Awesome Things

I don’t hate diapers. I get frustrated with some diapers, and I can only think of one example and it’s not the Bummis Pure.

Couple of things I don’t like…

Double Rise Snaps because a triple rise snap prevents inevitable diaper bulge on a wider diaper like this. This is purely cosmetic.

Theres never a bulge after a cloth diaper blogger has meticulously inspected the diaper before snapping a photo. Rise snaps up, snaps adjusted. But give it an hour, it’ll all fall apart.

It is still a little bulky. The bulk isn’t as evident in the tush, but more so in the front of the diaper. I find the Bummis Pure holds more bulk in the crotch which can be frustrating for some parents.Newsflash: If you want absorbency that will last, it’ll be bulky. And that’s life. The “bulk” of this diaper doesn’t bother me or my children. I’ve seen fluffier microfibre bums, so this doesn’t break me on whether this is the perfect diaper or not.

Buy It?

Definitely. At only $27.95 AND made in Canada, this cloth diaper is an amazing deal for anyone looking for an easy, ABSORBENT, non-complicated, affordable all in one cloth diaper. And you can buy it at my favourite cloth diaper retailer – CozyBums Diapers. It’s not the trimmest of fitting diapers, but I will continue to use it for nights, naps, and long trips because I like not worrying about leaks. Probably even use it aroudn the house because its just that cute.

It’s about time I told you about Bummis Prefold cloth diapers. These gorgeous rectangles of cotton are the very first cloth diapers I bought. They are also my go-to everyday choice for absorbency. There are a lot of options when it comes to prefold cloth diapers. When I purchased Bummi’s infant-sized Prefold cloth diapers they were the cheapest option at CozyBums Diapers.

I know earlier I talked about how much I love receiving blankets. And I still do. I use them occasionally with my toddler, but from 10-30 pounds, I exclusively use Bummis prefold diapers.

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

The Bummis infant-sized prefold works for my kids, so I haven’t bothered to try others (That’s sort of a lie, I own the Imagine size small, Grovia Size 1 & 3, but I prefer my Bummis infant sized). With both kids, they are plenty of absorbency for two hours. There are times in which we do max out them out but usually because they had more liquids, were in a growth spurt, or we pushed it to 3-4 hours.

Typically I fold them into thirds and stuff them into a pocket, but more often I lay them on top of a diaper and right to babies skin. Super easy. If its a cover, I swap out and continue to reuse the cover until soiled and/or stinky.

Why I love them?

Durable: I use them daily for two years and they are still in great condition. Yes, they hold stains, but no big deal its poop, it’s going to stain organic cotton fibres. They haven’t shrunk up and they haven’t changed sizes drastically. They still look and feel like they did almost a year ago.

Perfect Size: From 12ish pounds to 32 pounds the Bummis Infant sized prefold is the perfect size for my kids when trifolded. Before that, they are a little big and needed to be pinned or snappis to fit better. After 32 pounds, I found they were too small within the diaper and I opted for something bigger (the GroVia Size 3 because the Baby sized Bummis is MASSIVE – I have no idea what to do with them).

Canadian & Easy To Get: There are a lot of Prefold options out there, but most of them are hard to find in Canada. Bummi’s is easy because my local retailer sells it and so do many small baby boutiques. It’s also super affordable option coming in at at under $3 a prefold diaper.

Absorbency: These work just right for us lasting a solid two hours and giving me zero troubles. I never boost them, I just use them and change them when needed.

Isn’t that diaper gorgeous? It’s my current obsession. I would build a stash of Omaiki Cabrio if I didn’t want to try them all.

Looking for a Prefold Cloth Diaper Recommendation?

Then this is what I’m going to tell you to get. The Bummi’s refold in an infant size is the most versatile, absorbent, and affordable absorbency option (in my opinion). This is what I put in my diapers 90% of the time, and I would wholeheartedly do it again. I built my stash with these, and they are petty much the only thing I still own.

Bummis recently announced their all new Pure diaper, and it’s finally here! What’s Pure? This is the newest creation from the folks at Bummis and it’s sure to impress! Pure is Bummis’ new all-in-one cloth diaper and it’s proudly made in Canada! If you’re not familiar with Bummis, here’s what you need to know. Based in Montreal, Quebec, Bummis has been in the cloth diaper business for almost 30 years. Their goal is to reduce the ecological footprint of early childhood. They achieve this by producing their products locally, using top quality raw materials to ensure durability, and always innovating to create products that work, look great, and last. Bummis is celebrating the release of the Pure in a really BIG way! One lucky reader has the chance to WIN the entire Bummis Pure AIO line up. That’s a prize of TEN Bummis Pure diapers! One of every print and every solid colour that’s being released! Seriously, HOW AMAZING IS THIS GIVEAWAY! You will be set for life. #almost.

What makes Bummis’ Pure so special?

As an all in one diaper, the Pure comes with all the absorbency built right in

A one size diaper with four rise settings for a great fit from 10 to 35 lbs

It’s trim fitting, super absorbent, and fast drying!

Athletic Wicking Jersey (AWJ) inner lining offers a stay dry feel

AWJ is colour coordinated to complement each print/solid

Three layers of 100% cotton terry sewn into the AWJ lining for quick absorption

Attached soaker is three layers of a super absorbent 70% bamboo & 30% organic cotton blend that can be used inside the pocket or on top offering a better custom fit at each stage

The Bummis Pure AIO diaper is a wonderful addition to the great line up of Canadian made cloth diapers available from Bummis. Here’s your chance to win! One lucky reader will win the entire new line up of Bummis Pure AIO diapers. That’s ten Bummis Pure diapers, one in each of the following prints and colours: Forest Friends, Orange, Tampa, Cactus, Red, Russian Dolls, Watermelon, Lumberjack, Jade, and Cherry. That’s a total retail value of $280! This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents, 18+, and closes on December 19th, 2017. Bummis is responsible for prize fulfillment.

Disclosure: Chances of winning are based on the number of entries received. This giveaway is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest, or any other social media network. Open to USA & Canada, winners must be 18+, void where prohibited. Confirmed Winner will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. No purchase necessary. Participating bloggers are not responsible prize fulfilment, or for lost or stolen prizes. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Event organized by The Monarch Mommy, please direct questions about this promotion to TheMonarchMommy@gmail.com.

I like to travel. If I could, I would drop everything and just explore. However, I don’t have money, and I have two kids. #maybeoneday. Our last great vacation was a trip to Prince Rupert as a family. It was fantastic. However, my husband is out of personal days and vacation time, so we’re now limited to shorter excursions like a stay-cation (a vacation in your city).

This staycation had a purpose: to escape the clutter overtaking my house. Ever since we got in our big fat heads to downsize and move into something a little smaller, I’ve been a whirlwind trying to minimize our belongings. That process results in a lot of clutter, and chaos and stress. I needed to escape. And while I’m a cloth diaper addict, I also needed a break from laundry, and cloth diapers because I’m not perfect. #itsnotallornothing. So, I packed up my Charlie Banana diapers and disposable inserts, and we hit up a local hotel for a well-deserved break.

Disclosure: Charlie Banana sent me some product to try, and I’m writing to you about it with a truthful and honest perspective. This post might contain affiliate links because that’s one way bloggers can earn money from the hard work we spend working on these posts.

I’ll admit, I love hotel beds. There’s something about the fluffy white duvet and the abundance of pillows that makes me giddy with excitement. Having stayed in my fair share of okay-hotels, this was a top priority for me and why I choose this Prince George hotel.

Diapering on Vacation

I might be escaping the chaos at home, but I’m still stuck with two kids in diapers. My youngest is for sure in diapers, but my oldest is potty trained when naked (you know that struggle?). So, I packed up Charlie Banana disposable inserts, just the shell of the Charlie Banana Cloth Diaper, Swim Diapers, and a pair of training pants.

There is zero shame in using Charlie Banana disposable inserts (or disposable diapers) when travelling and on vacation. It’s okay to enjoy the moment and not feel stressed about hauling out 10lbs of wet diapers or trying to figure out a laundry situation. Enjoying the moment is thenumber one reasonI turn to Charlie Banana for my diapering needs.

Checking in with Charlie Banana Disposables

You can’t just pack disposable inserts, you also need to pair them with a cover. Naturally, Charlie Banana Disposable Inserts work best with the one size Charlie Banana Diaper. Their diapering system is a simple pocket made with a microfleece liner good for babies 6-35lbs.

The diaper is adjusted using adjustable elastics and buckle on the inside of the pocket. Lettering on the elastic outlines which size to adjust to your baby. This gives a perfect soft fit for baby. I never had any problems with tight elastics on the thighs or a leaky bum!

Normally, you would use one of their inserts inside the diaper, and then wash when soiled. But, on holidays, or even at home, or while running errands, using the Charlie Banana Diaper changes when using disposable inserts.

The Charlie Banana disposable insert just goes on top of the fleece and up against baby’s skin. When wet change, and let the cover dry out. It’s good to have a couple of covers on hand, and easily use just three over the course of 24 hours. If it’s poopy tuck it up in a wash bag for when you get home. If it’s going to be a while before I get home, I’ll do a little hand wash in the sink and let dry.

Poolside with the Charlie Banana Swim Diaper

A vacation isn’t a vacation without a little water action. I choose the hotel in town not only based on their pillows, but also off their water attraction. A pool PLUS slide was just what we needed to unwind and enjoy the evening.

While disposable diapers are “easiest” while travelling, a swim diaper si still convenient while on vacation. Not only is a Charlie Banana Reusable Swim Diaper convenient, but it’s sure to keep a mess better than disposable swim diaper. It’s tough elastics, and perfect fit help keep any unfortunate accidents out of the pool and let you keep enjoying some splash time.

Managing a swim diaper on vacation is simple. If a poop happens to toss it in the toilet and wrap it up for washing at home. I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty, so I would give it a good swish and swirl in the toilet and then hand wash it up in the sink before drying it.

While a poopy swim diaper is a rare scenario for me, I wouldn’t go on vacation with just one. No, you would probably need multiples. Good thing the Charlie Banana Reusable Swim Diaper is super affordable around $10 a piece. Because if you bring just one, then you will have a poop and you won’t be able to swim again.

It’s challenging taking two kids out for dinner, let alone a potty curious toddler, but when there are two adults on board the task is easier. It wasn’t perfect, and we had an accident requiring a diaper change, but that’s the learning game. Lucky for us the Charlie Banana Training Pant helps keep some of the mess contained and dignity intact.

How do you vacation with diapers and potty learning children?

Every month another baby boutique specialising in cloth diapers shuts down in North America. Month after month they struggle to compete with the internet and with the never-ending crusade of dirt cheap diapers being pushed out of manufacturing countries (and other factors, I’m sure).

Purchased from co-ops, or directly from manufacturers, these diapers cost pennies on the dollar. They allow consumers to build a cloth diaper stash of 25 for a mere $150 USD (or ~$190 CDN). Sometimes you can even buy them for less, buying in bulk and driving down the cost. This is assuming an average cost of $5 per diaper.

But, is it really worth it?

There are a lot of different reasons people choose to cloth diaper. Some choose to cloth diaper for budgetary concerns, while others opt to do it for the environment. For some, it might be the cool thing, while others choose to cloth diaper for the convenience of the matter.

But, this conversation is about money.

We could talk about inferior quality, ethical manufacturing concerns, or other issues that come up with these diapers, but that’s not for today, that’s not the main reason why I don’t recommend knock-off diapers. I don’t recommend cheap overseas diapers because they hurt small businesses don’t dont make finanical sense.

What if I told you that you could cloth diaper for about the same price by shopping local and supporting small business?

We can’t afford to keep buying cheap diapers from overseas.

We can’t afford to not support our local economies of scale because never before have we needed to help our neighbours and build our local communities than today. While this has been crucial in the past, the negligence of shopping small will impact our quality of life down the road.

It’s a cycle we are all connected to and while sending our money elsewhere does little for the greater good.

If we bought everything online directly from the manufacturer what would our communities look like?

Just stop and think. How many people do you know involved in the retail sector? If they lost their jobs tomorrow because of online shopping would your community thrive?

Cloth diapering is a little different because of the specific niche it offers. Not every community can afford to upkeep something so specific, but we can support local but supporting small businesses within our region. Just because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean we can’t support it.

There is so much more to these concepts than my humble Bachelors Degree and understanding of the world can offer. But I can take a moment to pause and think about this.

But it’s just $200.

It’s not just $200 because the decision to purchase cheap diapers isn’t the first time or the last time money is sent somewhere else because it’s “cheaper”

Because, one person might not have an impact, but a group of people does.

Just $200 by 5 people, is $1,000, keep multiplying that number and it keeps growing. I think you can do the math.

If I spend $200 at my local cloth diaper retailer that money filters back into my economy. I am not an economist by trade, and I’ve barely taken any business courses, but as an outsider looking in here’s no how it might work.

She employs at least two others, giving them a small but meagre income with a purpose in life.

She purchases from other small manufacturers and distributors, which in turn talks about jobs. Some of these brands hand produce goods here in Canada or the USA. That means more ‘local’ job opportunities.

She purchases business supplies, shipping services, insurance costs, and more from others often giving more jobs within my local community.

What if everyone in my community shopped with her for their cloth diapering needs? Would that mean she could open a brick and mortar store? That brick and mortar store could give more people access to cloth diapering…

Where would that take us?

The spiral of opportunity unfolds into so many options. How awesome would that be for my community? Maybe you have a store in your community too and the same ideas apply. We can’t afford to not shop locally if we want more in our life and in our communities.

Why are we buying cheap diapers from overseas? because it’s the only thing you can afford? Is it really? We can’t afford not to shop local. We can’t afford to not shop small businesses.

You can cloth diaper and support small businesses without spending a ton of money, and over the next couple of weeks, I’m going to talk about that. Last week, I showcased a made in the usa budget friendly cloth diaper the Elemental Joy which if used like a cover runs a mere $150 CAD. And while yes, it is difficult to cloth diaper for under $200 at CozyBums it’s not impossible to do it for under $300.

When you shop at your local retailer you get the quality of care. You get a support during your cloth diapering experience. You get a smile at the door and a note on your invoice. Shopping local brings me joy and I will continue to flaunt it from the rooftops when people ask me about cloth diaper options.

This conversation is more than just cloth diapers, it applies to so many other things in our life.

I can see a few of my readers thinking “but Bailey, your husband has a good job, you can afford to buy quality.”Totally, but I can’t afford to buy everything and do everything. Buying local menas changing your mindset. This might not be something you’re ready for. But guess what, we dont’ need everything. Redefining affordable also means redefining our wants and needs. Do I want a new winter coat this year, or do I need one?

If you can afford to spend $150 on cheap diapers from overseas, then you can afford to buy a stash of cloth diapers from a local retailer. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ve partnered with my local cloth diaper retailer to Redefine Affordable because cloth diapering isn’t expensive and you can do it on a budget. I’ve cloth diapered for $100 CANADIAN <- THATS LESS THAN A STASH OF CHEAP DIAPERS.

Why do you make the purchasing choices you make?

It’s about making small choices with the spending power you do have to keep our neighbourhoods awesome. What small choice did you make today?

I love things that are versatile and have not one, but many more different types of uses. The Charlie Banana Training Pants are such a creation. This multi-purpose pull on underpants not only act as a Training Pant but also a swimming pant. And why not? The primary intention of swimming is to keep poop out of the pool. But if you want a swim diaper with snaps and such check out the Charlie Banana Swimming Diaper too.

Disclosure: as always, I touch base and let you know when I receive a product at no cost. This happens in the blogging world more often than people care to admit. This post is written with the free product but always contains my honest and truthful sentiments.

Charlie Banana Extraordinary Training Pants

The Extraordinary Training pants are a pull on pant with a drawstring elastic. This gives them that feels like underwear experience with a customizable waist for even the skinniest of training toddlers.

Structurally, the Charlie Banana training pant is composed of a waterproof polyester exterior with an organic cotton inner. The entire inner of the diaper is organic cotton, and an extra absorbent strip lays in the centre made of 88% biconstituent fibre and 12% polyester for additional absorbency (to catch those accidents).

Extraordinary Training Pants in Action

This Large size pair of Charlie Banana Training Pants is a little smallfor my big guy who weighs in at a chunky 37lbs and a size 3T. Regardless, they did fit, and they were easy to pull on and off. However, as I’ve mentioned before in my reviews of potty training pants, I prefer a bigger size for easier use. Teaching little hands to pull a diaper on and off can be a struggle and if it’s just easier with a bigger size.

Sizing: I’m going to say the sizing is right on the money with the Charlie Banana Extraordinary training pants and go by the chart listed on their website to get the best fit for your child.

Will it hold an entire pee? No. Honestly, there are very few training pants that do because training pants aren’t diapers. They are underwear to help your little person use the potty and maybe keep embarrassing accidents at bay.

Lucky for you, the Charlie Banana training pant’s polyester exterior is waterproof. A tight fit ensures there is little to no wicking or leaking from these training pants. Unlike some brands which have soft fabric leg elastics, this ensures that the couch stays a little dryer.

What about poops? Pooping toddlers are the one reason I don’t like a pull on training pant and prefer options with snaps. If you have a toddler, you know the stress of toilet pooping. We did poop in this at a birthday party, and it wasn’t pretty. In the poops defence, I can’t imagine any diaper that would have kept that explosion in. (He’d be holding it for several days). If your kid only poops in underwear consider the Extraordinary Training Pant with snaps. The extra couple of dollars is worth not dragging poop down legs! #askmehowIknow #Idothisforaliving

Recommendation

It might not be the most absorbent training pant on the market, but the adjustable waist and low price point make it a reasonable and affordable option. If you are looking for a little extra protection during the potty learning experience and you want to spend a little less than some of the other options, consider Charlie Banana.

I genuinely believe every cloth diaper family should have a case of disposable inserts on hand for mental health days. I never used disposable inserts before I had two kids, but now that I have two, I use them all the time. And not just on vacation or staycation, but when I need a break, and I just don’t want to get the laundry downstairs.

Because this mom thing is hard.

Many months ago now, I reviewed two big-name disposable inserts in a comparison post. However, as a connoisseur (definitely not the right use of that word) of cloth diapers, I knew other disposable diaper options existed and connected with Charlie Banana for the sake of science.

Disclosure: with that said, I openly share with you that Charlie Banana sent over some products for a review. I always provide my honest opinion, and I’m not persuaded by free product, swag or money to right good things. Affiliate links will be present in this article because truthfully,t hat’s how I keep the addiction alive.

Charlie Banana Disposable Insert

The Charlie Banana Disposable Insert is truly just another disposable insert. In hand, it most closely resembles Flip disposable inserts, but it’s smaller and slightly different.

Chlorin, plastic, paraben, dye and perfume free the Charlie Banana Disposable Inserts are everything you want in a ‘crunchy lifestyle’ disposable product. To top it off the inserts are biodegradable but not flushable. DO NOT FLUSH. They are much too big. Made of 73% wood Pul and 27% SAP (and a rayon lining) they do a mighty good job at absorbing liquids from your baby.

Charlie Banana Disposable Inserts do not have a waterproof backing (compared to the GroVia Biosoaker). This means if you use the Charlie Banana pocket diaper with them the fleece may get wet from the insert. This also means you can stack them to meet your child’s absorbency needs.

Absorbency

Without taking my kitchen instruments to the disposable insert, Charlie Banana Disposable Inserts hold up to the day to day life of my children. I only once had a leaky morning. But 4/5 mornings we woke up dry when using a single Charlie Banana Disposable Insert. AWESOME.

They don’t really puff up or get heavy the same way some of the other disposable diapering products do, and I felt tricked by my dry mornings, dry naps, and dry everything. I’ll admit I questioned if my children were hydrated before thinking these inserts were awesome.

It turns out the Charlie Banana Disposable Insert is just awesome.

Adaptability

Disposable inserts work best with the brand they are meant to be used in; meaning Charlie Banana Disposable Inserts are best suited to be used with the Charlie Banana Diaper.

Despite this claim, I would disagree. The fleece lining on the Charlie Banana Diaper (because it is a one size pocket diaper) is not ideal for swapping out inserts. Often I need to wait and dry between using the same diaper again, and that’s not a strategy I believe to be very efficient when cloth diapering.

Therefore, I prefer using my Charle Banana Disposable Inserts with a true cover diaper. Anything worked. I never had problems using it with other diaper brands.

This would be better if Charlie Banana had a wipeable cover to use with this product.

Affordability

It’s hard to track down Charlie Banana products in Canada! But you can find the disposable inserts at Best Buy Baby for $15.99 CDN (same price as on the USD pricing). That makes them about 50 cents per insert.

Seems expensive, but its similar to the Flip, and on par with high-end disposable diapers (For reference: a pack of size four 7th Generation will cost you about 43 cents per diaper).

Recommendation?

Yes, please! I like Charlie Banana Disposable Inserts. They are smaller/shorter than the Flip which makes them a better size for my youngest child, and they do work on my toddler.

I have zero complaints about Charlie Banana Disposable Inserts. My favourite thing is that this diaper is more like a wet towel when saturated and less like a heavy gel. If I could easily acquire Charlie Banana Disposable Inserts in Canada, I would continue to stock these for my emergency, mommy mental health days and all future vacations. I also use disposable inserts at bedtime when I can’t find all the pieces to make an overnight diaper work.

Are you excited? I’m excited about the Elemental Joy cloth diaper release!

Whenever something new is released in the land of cloth diapers, it’s an exciting day for addicts and connoisseurs alike. New brands and new styles are intriguing but lately, they’ve come with a bit of a price tag. Whether its the latest Best Bottom AIO or perhaps the newly fitted diaper from Omaiki, these cloth diapers just aren’t cheap. They come with a hefty price tag which not everyone can afford. So, with great grandeur and excitment, I bring to you a quick review of the Elemental Joy cloth diaper from Cotton Babies.

I’ll admit, I’ve only had this three days, so this is more of a first impressions post than anything. Check back in a month, and I’ll compare it to the bumGenius 5.0 and give you a month in the life of the Elemental Joy.

Disclosure: Alright guys, CozyBums and I are working together on changing the conversation around cheap diapers because you totally can shop at CozyBums on a budget (under $300CDN?). This diaper was given me to experiment with and share with you but my opinions are always honest. Also, I use affiliate links to an earn an income when I convince you to buy something. 😉

What’s the Deal?

Cotton Babies is a brand (and store) in the United States. They already produce diapers such as the Flip, Hempbabies, Econobaby and the bumGenius line up (including the Elemental, Freetime, Newborn, 5.0). Owned and operated by Jenn Labit, Jenn seeks to be better and do better in the world. As a courageous entrepreneur, it’s not surprising to see this release of an affordable USA MANUFACTURED cloth diaper.

Elemental Joy is made in the USA with both imported and domestic material. It meets CPSIA guidelines. It’s a pocket diaper with a flat insert, but we’ll go into that later. The insert is made in Pakistan.

Where are you going to get it? At CozyBums of course. CozyBums Diapers is my go-to choice for cloth diapers in Canada. Not only is it a short 5-minute drive from my house, but Kerri is absolutely the sweetest and I love supporting small and determined businesses.

DETAILS, Details, details.

The Elemental Joy is a budget-friendly cloth diaper. Ringing in at under $10 in the United States, the conversion, shipping, and more doesn’t add up as nicely at Canadian Retailers. CozyBums has it currently listed for $13.20 or $11.95 for the diaper and $1.95 for the insert. That’s still one of the cheapest diapers in store.

But what about that diaper? Surprisingly it’s a pocket diaper. With a polyester microsuede (thats my best approximation) pocket and a laminated polyester exterior, the diaper is just like any other pocket diaper. It features an opening in the back, and a similar cut to the 5.0 (but its not identical).

A 3×3 snap on the front offers an adjustable size from 8-35lbs, and a double snap waist gives a close snug fit all around.

Along with the Elemental Joy Pocket cloth diaper is an insert. Unlike the traditional microfibre inserts seen with 75% of other pocket cloth diapers, the Elemental Joy has a flat cloth diaper insert. In hand this looks and feels like the osocozy flat diaper or the imagine flat diaper. A thicker weave 100% flat 27×27 can be folded up and put inside for a natural fibre solution! This is made in Pakistan.

What’s to Love

Big GENEROUS fit! This diaper fits big but perfect. It has a higher rise in the back, and more room all over. I didn’t find it bulky because flat diapers don’t have much fluff to them, but it does cover more of the body. This could be a good or bad thing depending on you. To me, that screams awesome. I don’t really care how big the diaper is, I just want poop and pee to stay in. #lifegoalsSee the trick is to make sure the leg elastic of the diaper goes in the crease. When you put the diaper on you want to fold it like a sandwich to fit there. This gives the best fit possible like my baby girl.

Honest, all diapers look like this now at 35 plus pounds. He has the same snaps as the Elemental but more coverage all over.

Natural Fibre Inserts: If you’re reading this because you want to know whether to buy cheap overseas diapers with microfibre or take the plunge on the Elemental Joy, this is the reason why.

Natural Fibre Inserts are worth their weight in gold, and better yet this flat is cloth diapering made easy. It’s not going to hold any stinks like microfibre, it’s not prone to compression leaks, it won’t shed plastics into our waterways when washed, it doesn’t feel terrible on your hands, and it’s just right for the average kid.

Absorbency: It’s a 27×27″ square piece of fabric with a similar weight and feel of other like products. It’s going to be about average for absorbency. If you kid out pees this he’s on the heavy wetting side of life. But if you’re changing every two hours during the day no problem. Need a boost, add a second or booster in a hemp/cotton/bamboo blend for a trim solution.

Better than a FST: I’m no fan of a FST but I am a fan of this because it got more structure, absorbency and life in it.

Don’t’ stress about folding: Fold it in half, in half, and then in thirds. DONE.

Shake the stress of folding flats away because the extra time it might take to fold a flat diaper is not even comparable to the time some families spend frustrated with microfibre.

Price Point: It’s not awesome considering the Canadian conversion, but it is awesome for a pocket cloth diaper in Canada MADE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Made in the United States: <— seriously. This might not matter to you, but if it does, this is big for a diaper under $15.

It Can’t be PERFECT

Or can it? The Elemental Joy isn’t perfect, but I’m wary of being too heavy on my critique because it is a low-cost cloth diaper and I’ve only owned it a couple of days. At under $9 in the United States and a mere $13.50 Canadian, there will be a few “it could be better” moments. Here they are:

Snaps: The snaps just aren’t the same as my other diapers. I don’t have any cheap overseas diapers to compare them to, but compared to the 5.0 and the Flip, and almost everything else I own there’s just something about those snaps that’s 10 cents cheaper. Even my husband agreed with me as we snapped and unsnapped for a few minutes last night.

Laminated Polyester: The exterior waterproof barrier on this diaper is not the same grade as other diapers in higher brackets. It just isn’t. It feels thin, but that doesn’t mean it’s not durable. Mother-ease cloth diapers are thin but durable. Only time will tell.

It is SO BIG. Baby Girl got on her high waist pants when wearing this diaper. It just sits up so high, especially when you think about the Best Bottom low rise cut. I don’t have a problem with it, it’s similar to the Flip in that regards, and clothes still fit. I’m wary of tiny thigh children just because so if you have a tiny thigh child and this diaper works for you let me know. I know tons of parents with skinny legs love the 5.0 and the Flip, and some don’t.

I’m also not sold on this being the most effectivelow-cost cloth diaper because it is a pocket.

If you cloth diaper you know the most affordable way is to purchase 8 cloth diaper covers and 24 inserts. You reuse the same cover until soiled or stinky and swap out the insert.

You could still do this with the Elemental Joy, and honestly, that’s how I’ll use it because, with 2 in diapers, I would rather not stuff diapers all day. Good thing CozyBums sells them in separates, load up on the inserts and buy only 8 pockets for a surprisingly affordable $142 Canadian! (plus tax and stuff)

Stop, FASTER, and Go.

Available in three prints and three colours, the Elemental Joy is definitely the diaper of the year. This cloth diaper will be making waves into 2018 and changing how we can cloth diaper.

Do I think there are better cloth diapers? Yes.

The 5.0 isbn far superior in quality, but its almost double the price.

Do I think this is a good choice for cloth diapering on a budget? YES.

Got a question? Drop me a comment below and let me know what you think of the Elemental Joy.

It’s been a while since I’ve done a cloth diaper review, and even longer since I jumped into a swim cloth diaper. I’m not sure if you’ve ever taken young kids swimming, but it’s the most stressful thing I have ever done. The summer was easy, hit up the splash pad, or put on a swimsuit in the backyard with the sprinkler. However, it’s now winter, and those options for water play are less than ideal.

Disclosure: Charlie Banana sent me a swim diaper and a few other products to write and review on. This post is my honest and truthful opinion. This post might also contain affiliate links which I earn a commission from with the purchase.

Swimming with Charlie Banana

The only possible way we were going to review the Charlie Banana Extraordinary swim diaper was either in the bathtub or if my husband was home to help me. Thankfully, we decided to take a little staycation to escape the mess and checked into a local hotel with a wicked awesome water slide.

Charlie Banana is a cloth diaper brand headquartered in Hong Kong. They make budget-friendly diapering products both in the USA and abroad.

Two different styles of swim diaper are available from Charlie Banana. The first is the Extraordinary with a layer of organic cotton on the inside, and the second is the Reusable with a Tencel layer on the inside. Both diapers seem to offer the same cut and style, with a variety of sized options. The Ruesable Swim Diaper offers an adjustable waist ideal for skinny babies and without snaps. It’s my understanding this is what I have for potty training and more than that specific model later!

Design of the Charlie Banana Reusable Swim Diaper

We have the Charlie Banana Reusable Swim Diaper with the beautiful layer of Tencel on the inside. Tencel is a polyester/lyocell blend that is absorbent, restrict bacterial growth, and made of the green celluloid material.

The Charlie Banana Reusable Swim Diaper comes in 4 different sizes from Small to X-Large. We have a Large which is rated from 21-27lbs. My child is about 20lbs, but she has the thighs of a larger child.

There are double side snaps on along the waist of the diaper, and a wide soft elastic that runs along the back and legs of the diaper giving a cushy closed fit.

At the Pool with Charlie Banana Swim Diapers

As a cloth diaper blogger, there are few things that just happen. First, if you haven’t taken pictures of a product yet, and decide to let your child wear the diaper right away, they will poop. Second, if you need to review a swim diaper, they will not poop.

Swim Diapers have one goal in life: to contain the poop from escaping the pool! The most significant questions parents have is about liquid breastfed poop because the more substantial stuff it’s harder to escape.

In general, I’m inclined to believe a cloth swim diaper, including this Charlie Banana Reusable Swim Diaper, is up to the task. Elastics and perfect sizing options help give the best possible fit.

Taking photos at a hotel pool after dinner is terrible lighting. My apologies. It is super cute on her chunky.

On Little Miss

The fit on Little Miss was just right. She falls into the lower spectrum of the weight for the cloth diaper, but her thick thighs mean it was just right for her body. I felt the overall fit was snug and secure. And she looked super cute.

It was also really easy to put on. Because this is a sized diaper, there is no fussing with rise snaps. A SIZED DIAPER is a GREAT CHOICE for not cloth diapering parents because you just pull the diaper on and go. And with the hip snaps like on the Charlie Banana reusable swim diaper, you can do precisely that pull on and off like underwear making it super easy to use. I prefer hip snaps because a swim diaper has ONE JOB and that is to catch poop. Should the unthinkable happen, snaps trump having to slide a poopy diaper down someone’s leg.

Disclaimer: typically I’m a fan of one size swim diapers because of the buy it once, buy it forever idea. Which is why I love swim diapers like Nuggles and Omaiki; however, the fit and ease of the Charlie Banana reusable swim diaper as a sized diaper has me sold to try other sized options.

I don’t have any complaints about the Charlie Banana Reusable swim diaper and would recommend it for anyone looking for an easy to use budget friendly swim diaper for the pool or water park.

This diaper does come in a vairety of sizing options available on the website. Little Miss fits the size and weight class she’s in and depending on the chunk of your kid you may feel you need to up or down a size to get a nice tight fit to prevet swimming accidents.

However, at the super affordable price, this swim diaper would meet your needs for the size your baby is swimming at now.

It was just simple to use. And that’s a winning point. As a blogger who owns many swim diapers, I’m thinking I’d pack this next time because I know that even dad could use it without any complicated instructions like making sure the rise snaps are snapped. And if you don’t know what rise snaps are, then this the diaper for you and the pool.

Where can you buy it?

You can buy a Charlie Banana Swim Diaper directly from Charlie Banana, or from any of these affiliate retailers below.

Did you wake up to a wet bed this morning? Sometimes that happens. I’ve been cloth diapering for over two years, and blogging and engaging about it for that same amount of time, and I still wake up to wet leaky pyjamas because sometimes it’s almost impossible to gauge how much your little person will pee overnight.

Disclosure: I link up to affiliate programs on my blog to earn a small portion of referral commission from any purchase you may make. So click at your own risk and connect with me if you have any questions.

So don’t freak out and buy the most heavy duty of night time diapers when you get your first wet, leaky morning. Take a Breath, and let’s take a look at the leaky cloth diapers.

Maxed Out or Leaking?

If the diaper is maxed out and soaked from top to bottom, and every layer, then you’re little needs more absorbency.

Try a Booster First: Some cloth diapers come with 2-3 inserts, and we don’t always use them all, add the booster, or try a booster with your diaper. My personal favourite is to add a small Geffen Baby insert.

Try a Different Diaper: You, as the diaper owner and operator, know your kid and your stash the best. Take a look at you have and ask if you’re using the absorbent opinions you have? Can be creative and mix match different diapers and inserts to get to an answer that works for YOU?

AIO are great days, but unless you have a fairy princess, just boosting won’t be enough. In my experience, the Bummi’s AIO is the most absorbent AIO, and I boost it with a Geffen Baby to make it thru the night.

Pockets: There are a ton of different options and sizing with pockets, and at the end of the day how they fit depends on if they are too bulky and a good fit. I don’t’ like use a stuffed pocket at night because I find a gusseted cover does a better job.

Fitteds: Coming in a wide array of price points and absorbencies, a fitted cloth diaper is an excellent choice for a moderate to heavy wetter. My family loves the Nuggles Fitted and the Sloomb OBF for the wettest of nights. But there are other options, and chatting with your local retailer or cloth diaper group might give you some insights on absorbency expectations.

If the diaper is just leaking but still has dry spots on the inside, then you probably have a bad fit, a wonky diaper, or a fluke. Sometimes boosting your absorbency to get zero leaks isn’t the best answer. Sometimes, it’s just better to combat the leaks. Sure, we could use a super duper bulky combo, or we could just use a wool cover.

Wool or Fleece Covers/Pants: Wool & Fleece won’t fix significant absorbency problems, but they will help keep your bed dry. Wool catches about 30% of the absorbency with a solid lane layer, and fleece will also help create a water barrier between baby and the sheets.

Fleece PJ’s: It’s not going to solve a massive saturation of your diaper, but if you just get the occasional dampness on cotton PJ’s, Fleece PJ’s will keep that dampness of the sheets.

My Bummi’s AIO night time combo is like exactly 100% saturated when she’s had a high fluid intake and the seams begin to get a little leaky, but the bed doesn’t get wet if I put her to bed in a fleece sleeper.

Peapod Mat: For those times that life happens, you need a peapod mat. Whether it’s a cloth diaper or a disposable, accidents happen. Whether its diaper related or other gushes of bodily fluids, wet does happen. A Peapod mat is the best purchase you can make. I have zero regrets. Now instead of fighting with sheets, I just wash the mat. And in the middle of the night, I take it off and go straight back to sleep.

Perhaps the most obvious: Check your Fit!

If your diapers leak or make the bed wet sometimes it’s just a matter of fit. If there’s a gap between the diaper and the child, that’s a hole pee can escape from.

Sometimes finding the right tight fit for your child’s body isn’t’ as easy as you might expect. I do believe all diapers fit all kids with the right tricks; not everyone can get a seamless fit.

Too much bulk will lead to leg gaps. Trying to find a more absorbent and trimmer option will help cut down the bulk of the legs. This is why people love flats or fitted diapers. The same absorbency can be spread thruout the diaper when folded or snapped on.

Opening rise settings too early can lead to leg gaps. Finding the perfect rise snap can be a little bit of a challenge when combatting bulky diapers and gaping bum cracks. You might find the rise settings in your overnight diaper different than your daytime diaper. When in doubt pull up those wings. I know, I hate a wing lift, but it does help keep the gaps off the thighs.

There are many other things that can lead to a poor fitting and be leaking diaper. Feel free to share with me your best example. There’s nothing like waking up wet because someone put a diaper on backwards, or forgot to put the diaper in the crease of the legs.

So, whats your next step for a leaky overnight cloth diaper?

Will you try some wool or a fitted diaper? Need more specific advice leave a comment below.I know tonight she’s going to bed in fleece jammies because who knows if she’ll max out that Nuggles Fitted tonight. She didn’t last week. If she keeps doing it, then I’ll look at adding a booster or trying a different fitted cloth diaper.

Did you know Bummis released a new and improved version of their AIO cloth diaper? No? At the end of the November, Bummis released the Pure making a series of significant changes to their already pretty awesome all in one cloth diaper. Check out my review of the previous version here. Disclosure: Kerri from Cozybums dropped one of […]